Robert “Bob” Anthony LaFrenierre, age 75, passed away on October 14, 2024, as a result of Glioblastoma. He was a resident of Peyton, Colorado, for nine years, and a resident of El Paso County, Colorado, for 41 years. Previously, he was a resident of Minnesota and California.
Bob was born on September 20, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to Robert R. LaFrenierre, who worked in the iron ore mining industry, and Erika E. (Martin) LaFrenierre, a homemaker. While stationed in Germany post-WWII, his father met and married his mother, a German national, and brought her back with him to Minnesota to settle down and raise a family.
Bob lived his first ten years of life in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He had fond memories of growing up on five acres in the country, exploring the outdoors with his friends and siblings, often leaving early after breakfast and not returning home until the sun went down.
After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Prior to basic training he met his future wife, Linda Tozier. After completing Technical Training as an Avionics Technician, he married Linda and they spent the next 6 years at March AFB, California; Eielson AFB, Alaska; and Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Following his discharge from the Air Force, they returned to California where he enrolled in the University of California, Riverside. He received his Bachelor’s Degree, with Honors, in Anthropology in 1978. In 1983, Bob and his family moved to Colorado where he attended the University of Southern Colorado and graduated with Honors in 1986 with a degree in Computer Science. He immediately was hired by Ford Aerospace as a Software Engineer. Ford Aerospace became LORAL, then was bought by Lockheed Martin. Bob spent the next 28 ½ years working as a Software Engineer/Architect, supporting missile defense for the Armed Forces. He enjoyed playing softball on the company’s team and was a talented left fielder.
Bob had many interests throughout his life. He was an avid learner, particularly interested in physical sciences, and loved visiting museums and other science-based attractions. Bob had a love of airplanes, always curious about the way airplanes were able to maneuver and fly. Having grown up in a small town through which steam trains commonly traveled, he developed a life-time interest and eagerly sought out opportunities to examine and ride these iron horses.
He loved living in Colorado, camping, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. He never lost his love of anthropology, and frequently read history-related books, especially about the Civil War.
Throughout his adult life, Bob loved building and improving his homes, and he invested quite a bit of time gardening and landscaping. The last nine years of his life were spent as a gentleman farmer, growing a variety of vegetables, berry bushes, fruit trees and other flora. He also canned some of his crops and continued to study alternative methods for growing and harvesting necessary food items.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda; his son, Jeff (Paula) LaFrenierre; his daughter, Tamara (Curtis) Wright; and his grandchildren: Braiden Wright, Hannah Wright, and Melody Wright. He is also survived by his siblings: Ed (Marcie) LaFrenierre, Jim (Jeannie) LaFrenierre, Debbie (Garin) Rawson, Connie LaFrenierre, Ken LaFrenierre, and Linda (Stan) Cushingham; his brothers-in-law, Don Tozier and Tom (Pam) Tozier; and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 27, at his home. He will be cremated, and his remains will be interred at Pikes Peak National Cemetery on Friday, January 3, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care at pikespeakhospice.org.